Though I’m retired from designing and developing websites, I often come across new information I find useful.
Which is what happened last month when I learned something new about grace periods for domain names.
In the past, I typically worked with clients who used generic top level domains (TLD) like .com, .net, .org, .info, and .biz.
With 30-day grace periods for renewal.
Which means you have 30 days after the actual domain name expiration date when you can renew the domain name at the regular rate charged by the domain registrar.
I wasn’t aware some domain names need to be renewed 12 days before expiration date or they will immediately enter the redemption grace period.
Which means your domain name can be bought by someone within that 12 day period before the expiration date.
And you’ve lost your domain name.
The Namecheap (a domain registrar I’ve worked with in the past) has a helpful TLD grace period support page explaining all the details.
My Experience With a Nonprofit’s Domain Name
Years ago I worked on a nonprofit website. I was active in the organization, became an officer, and offered my web services to manage and maintain their website.
When I stopped volunteering for the organization, I transferred the domain name registration to another nonprofit officer.
Someone who I later learned paid no attention to the domain expiration date.
They ignored the numerous domain renewal email notifications.
When a domain name expires and isn’t renewed, the website and email stop working. No changes can be made to the domain.
I was finally contacted by one of the other nonprofit officers who was worried they were going to lose their domain name (which they’d had for 12+ years).
After contacting the domain registrar, I learned the registrar had sent automated email notifications to the billing contact name on record 60, 30, and seven days before the domain name expiration date.
As well as seven, 30, and 60 day notifications after the expiration date.
All ignored by the nonprofit officer.
I phoned customer support at the domain name registrar to learn what could be done to get the domain name back. Within 15 minutes, I learned what steps needed to be taken.
Thankfully (pure luck?) their domain name had not been bought by anyone.
But the nonprofit was charged ~$200 to get their domain name back.
Not unusual, but it was 15 times more expensive than if the domain name had been renewed on time.
Money they could have used to further their mission.
My Advice
For your domain name, here are a few steps you can follow to avoid issues with possibly losing your domain
- Always have your organization domain name and web hosting in your name
- Consider auto-renewal. Or add an automated reminder to your calendar 30-45 days before your domain expiration date.
- Provide two different names (email addresses) for the domain name billing and administrative contacts. Both receive email notification when a domain name is up for renewal.
- Learn what grace periods apply for your domain name
- Find out what redemption fees your domain registrar charges in case you miss the renewal date.
